As profiled here Sunday, the Peoria 16-year-old suffers a slew of chronic maladies, including developmental and physical delays. Meanwhile, his lone caretaker and mother, Carol Hall, recently was diagnosed with brain tumors that almost surely will kill her within two years. So, the pair is planning for his future, such as hard decisions about where he might live.

Though A.J. doesn't have the ability yet to handle driving lessons, he long has fantasized about one day working as a street sweeper.

On Monday, I pestered Mayor Jim Ardis to seek someone who could give A.J. a spin in one of those sweet city street sweepers. In turn, Ardis pestered Dave Haste, the city's streets and sewers manager, who was happy to help.

"It was a touching story," he says.

Plus, several city workers already had been bugging Haste to get A.J. into a street sweeper. Though the machines can be operated by one person, they have two seats, with dual controls. Haste says an operator can first meet with A.J. to explain how the devices work, then A.J. can ride along.

"Maybe he can go in a parking lot, somewhere where there's nothing around, and drive a little," Haste says.

A.J., who had his latest operation Friday, was at home when I called his mom to start making plans for the ride. When she asked if he wanted to drive a street sweeper, he started shaking with excitement, then yipped, "Sure!"

If all of us were so grateful for small blessings, this world would be a much different place.

Meanwhile, for those of you wanting to help the Halls, there are two ways. One is by direct donation to The Hall Family Fund at any PNC Bank location. There also is a fundraiser Dec. 12 at Double A's Pizza, 7301 N. Radnor Road. Ten percent of all food purchases (dine-in or carry out) that day will be donated to the Halls to defray medical and other costs.

______

Santa's last bash?: Could Jimmy Binkley be approaching his final seniors party?

I don't want to be a downer at the holidays. But the Peoria piano man sounds as if his seemingly boundless energy might actually have limits, if you can believe that.

I talked to him a few days ago. His familiar rasp sounded a bit ragged.

"I'm tired, Phil," he said slowly. "I'm tired."

He paused, then chirped, "But I'm OK!"

Page 2 of 2 - You know, sometimes I wonder if Jimmy pushes too hard. In print here, I kid sometimes - and he hates it - that he has been around longer than Santa Claus. But the fact is, his hard work - organizing two big parties for seniors annually, plus touring senior homes most days year-round - would wear out a 20-year-old Olympian. In 2007, he passed out at his June Senior Citizen Day bash, and - though he never will discuss his health - he ended up canceling the next year's event.

And this year, Jimmy had planned to cancel this year's Christmas Party for Seniors. But he changed his mind just because of one weathered but hopeful voice. A while back, an older gal in a nursing home gushed to him, "Jimmy, I'm waiting for your party."

So, he changed his mind: no break for Peoria's Kris Kringle.

"What could I do?" he says. "I had to have the party for her."

Will this be the last bash? Insiders say he has not yet made plans for the June fiesta. Maybe he soon will take a well-deserved retirement.

But on Dec. 5, he'll host his 19th annual yuletide gathering, at American Legion Post 979 in Bartonville. As usual, hundreds of seniors will get lunch, treats and entertainment - plus gifts.

And that's where Binkley needs you more than ever: gifts.

Often, people drop off presents at Sky Harbor Steak House, 1321 N. Park Road in West Peoria, where Binkley plays on Wednesday and Saturday nights. But owner Daryl Klusendorf, emcee for the seniors party, says Santa's sleigh is rather bare this year.

"I guess it's still early, but seems like we have had more gifts dropped off in past years," Klusendorf says.

Nursing home residents appreciate useful wares such as footies, socks, radios, lotion, soap, shaving cream and such. Please wrap each gift, marking whether it's for a gent or a lady.

You can drop them off at Sky Harbor or at the Journal Star. This elf will get the gifts to Jimmy's place.

______

PHIL LUCIANO is a columnist with the Journal Star. He can be reached at pluciano@pjstar.com, facebook.com/philluciano, 686-3155 or (800) 225- 5757, Ext. 3155. Follow him on Twitter @LucianoPhil.